German public holidays in Berlin 2026
Take advantage of the public holidays and travel to Berlin
In 2026, there will once again be many public holidays, so it's worth planning ahead – we'll show you how. Here are some suggestions on how to make the most of long weekends and public holidays: for a short trip to Berlin, of course.
Public holidays in March: International Women's Day (8 March)
In addition to Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania can also look forward to a public holiday on International Women's Day on 8 March this year. As the public holiday falls on a Sunday, there is no possibility of a long weekend. Nevertheless, there is an opportunity to extend the weekend and take a short trip to spring-like Berlin. This allows you to customise your week with a few days of holiday and celebrate the beginning of spring.
Public holidays & long weekends in April: Easter
Spend Easter in Berlin: 3 April is Good Friday and Easter Monday is 6 April, giving you four whole days to experience the capital in bloom in spring, even without taking any holiday days.
Our tip for all math whizzes: invest eight days of holiday from 7 to 16 April and get a total of 16 days off. This allows you to plan a longer trip to Berlin. It's worth immersing yourself in the Berlin lifestyle in the neighbourhoods and discovering Berlin in all its different facets.
Public holidays & long weekends in May: 1 May, Ascension Day and Pentecost
May 2026 is a particularly eventful month for holidays and activities in Berlin. May 1, Labour Day, falls on a Friday. Without taking a day off, you can enjoy a wonderful weekend – perfect for a spring city break in Berlin.
On 14 May, all federal states celebrate Ascension Day. How about taking a day off on Friday, 15 May, and planning a long weekend? Why not invite the fathers to the capital for a few wonderful days on Father's Day ?
Take a look at what's going on in May. For example, the open-air cinemas have been open since May and offer exciting entertainment under the stars. Pentecost falls in May this year – there are three whole days off in all federal states: Whit Monday on 25 May 2026 is a public holiday throughout Germany. Why not plan a short break by taking Tuesday, 26 May, as an extra day off – perfect for a four-day city break to Berlin and its summer highlights. Or take the whole week off with just four days, giving you eleven days to discover Berlin and its many green oases.
Tip: The popular Carnival of Cultures will take place again this year at Whitsun – a celebration of joie de vivre and tolerance. Look forward to a colourful weekend from 22 to 25 May 2026.
Public holidays & long weekends in August: Assumption Day
The Assumption Day holiday celebrated in Bavaria and Saarland on 15 August falls on a Saturday. Nevertheless, you can still enjoy a wonderful weekend in Berlin. You will have plenty of time to soak up the summer atmosphere of the capital, visit exciting museums or spend balmy evenings at one of the numerous open-air cinemas.
Public holidays & long weekends in September: World Children's Day
In 2026, World Children's Day in Thuringia, where it is celebrated as a public holiday, falls on a Saturday, 20 September. Even though there is no long weekend this year, World Children's Day offers a great opportunity to do something fun together as a family. For example, the Herbstrummel, a folk festival for the whole family, starts in Berlin on 19 September.
Public holidays & long weekends in October: German Unity Day and Reformation Day
In October, you can look forward to a wonderful long autumn weekend right at the beginning of the month: 3 October is German Unity Day, which is celebrated nationwide – and this year it falls on a Saturday. This means you can make the most of the weekend to experience the celebrations in the capital and immerse yourself in the exciting history of German division and reunification. And with just five days of holiday, you could plan a long stay of nine days and get to know even more of the city's many facets.
Saturday, 31 October is Reformation Day, a public holiday in many federal states: Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia.
Public holidays & long weekends in November: All Saints' Day and Day of Repentance and Prayer
All Saints' Day on Sunday, 1 November, is a public holiday in some federal states such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. Plan two days in Berlin: as the weather turns autumnal, museums, exhibition halls and concert halls invite you to enjoy some culture.
The people of Saxony are lucky, because their federal state is the only one where the Day of Repentance and Prayer on 18 November is a public holiday. As this day falls on a Wednesday in 2026, you can take two days' holiday on 19 and 20 November and enjoy a varied five-day break in Berlin. This is the perfect opportunity to discover Berlin's cultural landscape – it's always worth a visit!
Museums in Berlin
Public holidays & long weekends in December: Christmas and New Year's Eve
Christmas Eve falls on a Thursday this year, meaning that Christmas will be celebrated on Friday and Saturday. Anyone who wants to celebrate the festive season in Berlin can enjoy a four-day festive break without taking a single day of holiday. And if you want to stay even longer, you can take three days off and then stay until New Year's Evefor an eleven-day holidayand continue the celebrations.
In December, the numerous Christmas markets spread festive cheer throughout the city. From traditional to original, from small and romantic to large and colourful, each market offers a very special experience.
